Ferndale VFW Honor Wall to soon have 2 more wings

The Honor Wall that stands in front of the Veterans Hall in Ferndale will soon have two additional wings with another 350 spaces to honor those who have served in the military.

The wall at Kenneth Rasmussen Post No. 6353 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America is made of bricks engraved with the names of local veterans — both living and deceased, according to VFW member Randall Cady. The post is named after Ferndale resident U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kenneth Rasmussen, who was killed in action during World War II.

"The wall is for anybody in any branch of the military — whether it's a grandfather, father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, etc. — as a tribute for their honorable service," said Cady, a 30-year veteran in both the National Guard and the Army. "It's important to know that this is an honor wall and not a memorial. Someone once said they thought they had to be deceased to have a brick on the wall, but that's not true. It's for anyone who has honorably served."

VFW Quartermaster Spencer Koch said the wall went up last year in front of the Veterans Hall, and residents have expressed interest in adding more names to the wall ever since.

"The Brick Committee, which came up with the design for the wall and got it approved, took on the project because of the number of requests," said Koch, who takes the brick orders. "We started taking orders, and we've got a little over 100 bricks sold so far and are looking to sell about another 200 or so to fill the inside of the wings. There will still be room on the outside of the wings for more names."

Koch added that the new wings will be connected to the existing wall and will be slightly shorter, so it all flows together.

Cady said they're in the process of taking brick orders now. He anticipates the new wings will go up within the next 90 days.

"This next phase was inspired by the overwhelming response from people who wanted to honor their friends and family members that served," Cady said. "We have about 330 names on the original wall and will have room for about another 350 with the new additions. We'd like to have enough ordered to do the front side and then finish the back, so not all the bricks have to be sold."

Cady said anyone interested in purchasing a brick for $50 — which helps fund the addition to the wall — can contact Koch at 498-8804 for an order form or find the forms at the Ferndale Museum. Money orders or checks can be sent to Koch or the VFW at P.O. Box 624, Ferndale, CA 95536-0624.